The Vice-President of India is the second-highest ranking government official in the executive branch of the Government of India after the President. The Vice-President also has the legislative function of acting as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

Bhairon Singh Shekhawat (born October 23, 1923) is the Vice-President of India. He has served in that position since August 2002, when he was elected to a five-year term by the electoral college following the death of Krishan Kant. Shekhawat was a member of the National Democratic Alliance at the time of election. He has served as the chief minister of Rajasthan three times, from 1977 to 1980, 1990 to 1992 and 1993 to 1998. He is the ex-officio chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

Bhairon Singh Shekhawat completed high school but was unable to complete college due to his father's untimely death. He had to support his family. He worked as a farmer and an officer sub-inspector in the police before turning to politics.

His favorite pastimes are reading, interacting with people, and extensively touring the State and other parts of the country.

Article 63 of the Constitution of India provides for a Vice-President: "There shall be a Vice-President of India". While the Indian Vice-President could be elected for any number of terms, the Constitution requires that the Vice-President must be a citizen of India . The qualifications for Vice-President are the same as those for President.

The Vice-President acts as President in the event of the death, resignation, or removal of the President, until a new President is chosen by the electoral college. The Vice-President may also act temporarily as President during the absence or illness of the President.

The Vice-President is elected for a term of five years whenever the office becomes vacant, by an electoral college consisting of all the Members of both Houses of Parliament.